Sea turtles wait out winter in rehab

MOSS POINT, MISSISSIPPI (WALA) - SEA TURTLES WAIT OUT WINTER IN REHAB

A number of endangered sea turtles, including several from Alabama, are still waiting to go home.

Since the oil spill, they have been cared for at the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies in Gulfport where they'll have to spend the entire winter. They are being housed in a specially-built area, with climate-controlled conditions.

"To over-winter them they have to have specialized care, the temperature has to be right, they have to be fed every day. In the spring once the temperatures get to the required temperatures, we'll release them," said director, Dr. Moby Solangi.

ALABAMA TURTLES IN FACILITY

Several of the turtles came from Alabama, including a large, and extremely endangered Kemps Ridley. There is also a little hawksbill turtle that was found earlier this year in Alabama covered with oil. Now though, he's doing a lot better and hopefully in the spring he'll be ready to release.

In a normal year, the Marine Institute may take care of just a couple of turtles. This year they've rehabbed more than 300. It's a working classroom where a lot is being learned.

"The care, and how we can rehabilitate, we have learned a lot," Dr. Solangi said. "These are all endangered species and you don't have large numbers to work with."

As the turtles are released, many will be fitted with satellite tags. Some released earlier in 2010 with tags are already sending back valuable information. You can even track their progress at the Institute's website .

"We had one animal in three weeks travel 600 miles," Dr. Solagi told FOX10. "That is incredible for an animal for an animal that uses little flippers."